Create a game-changing site that elevates Blue Ash’s image among current and prospective residents and companies.

That was the simple message the city officials gave to real estate developer Al. Neyer in 2015 as the company bought about 98 acres of vacant land once part of the Blue Ash Airport. With the hopes of completing a massive development project, Al. Neyer spent $8.3 million to buy the city of Cincinnati-owned land near Glendale-Milford and Plainfield roads. Since the acquisition, officials at Downtown-based Al. Neyer have been working on a plan to deliver something the city can take pride in.

New high-end apartments, an office building, hotel and restaurants are planned in the first phase of development on land adjacent Summit Park. But within the next five to 10 years, at least 100 single-family homes, more office space and other amenities are planned on the property as well, according to the plan Al. Neyer sent to the city earlier this week. The 39-page plan was shared Wednesday with The Enquirer.

“All developers talk about a live, work, play environment and that’s the future of office development," said Dan Ruh, a senior vice president at Al. Neyer. "We’re taking that to a new level. It’s a live, work, play and stay concept. You can’t find that anywhere else in the region.”

The Blue Ash Planning Commission will give the project its first public review at an Aug. 4 meeting at 7 p.m.

Ruh said the development is supposed to draw from successful examples of regional employment destinations integrated with walkable suburban mixed-use districts.

Al. Neyer and Vandercar Holdings are jointly developing the project. The team is partnering with M/I Homes and Towne Properties on the single-family and multifamily portions of development. Other partners could be sought for specific project components.

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"There are a growing number of employers, particularly those looking for a talented, highly-educated young workforce, who don't believe that the suburban office park environment is the best to attract (talent)," said Steve Dragon, vice president of development at Madisonville-based Vandercar. "We're hoping to create an opportunity where those employers can locate, recruit effectively and be here long-term."

The entire development site, which Ruh said is about 115 acres, is adjacent Summit Park, a 130-acre, $73 million development located in the center of Blue Ash. The park is currently under its third phase of construction.

The 115-acre site is being divided into four chunks: Golf View, Parkview, Gateway Village and Carver Woods. The 30-acre chunk of land to be developed first is called Gateway Village, which will be located at the northeast corner of Glendale-Milford and Reed Hartman.

Developments envisioned at Gateway Village are:

Between 200,000 and 400,000 square feet of office space for a corporate headquarters or multiple tenants.

220 to 350 high-end rental apartments.

25,000 to 60,000 square feet of space for retail, restaurant or entertainment uses.

One or two 100- to 150-room limited service hotels.

Possible grocery store or indoor/outdoor music and performance venue.

Gateway is expected to feature buildings up to seven stories in height with primary frontages along streets and parks activated by retail, lobbies and other building entrances, according to the plan. On-street convenience parking will help buffer sidewalks from the street. Much of the off-street parking is expected to be screened by buildings.

The Gateway development is also expected to have a social and cultural center called Summit Place. Dining venues are expected to line the street and offer outdoor seating areas along a streetscape. Specialty pavements to denote a different pedestrian experience from Gateway Drive north and east to the park’s Main Street.

Neil Hensley, the city’s economic development director, told The Enquirer last year that the new project could help Blue Ash affirm its status as one of the top suburban office markets in Greater Cincinnati. This project, in addition to the city’s big investment in Summit Park, are designed to give the community amenities that companies and residents want. For Hensley, it’s a move that’s as much about the present as making a commitment to the future.

In order for Al. Neyer and Vandercar to move forward with development plans, it first has to secure a zoning change for the property. The development team is proposing to change zoning to a planned office and mixed-use district.

However, the city will have to tweak its existing zoning rules to account for the range of development proposed at the site. In addition to the zoning text amendment, the development team is asking the city to modify its planned district ordinance. The change would create an optional concept plan submittal process, which would allow the city’s Planning Commission and Council to review and approve the broad concept for the entire site. The approval would permit the range of uses, general location of street corridors, space concepts and certain plan elements.

Summary of Al. Neyer's plans for the Blue Ash property

Integrate the park's open space network to the south and east along the headwater streams of Sycamore Creek.

Provide a mix of retail, dining and residential uses which appeal to the current and future workforces and provide current Blue Ash residents choices for new housing.

Incorporate bike lanes and multi-purpose paths that link the park and land development to the city’s larger path network.

Work with public transit authorities and private services such as Uber and Lyft to establish transportation options

Establish a sufficient critical mass of residents, amenities and services to create a vibrant, mixed-use district, which could contribute to increased property values in the city

Establish additional roadway connections linking the Summit Park District to the east side of Reed Hartman Highway, downtown Blue Ash and Plainfield Road.